Shell donates $100,000 to Pa. 4-H science program

Tyler Lauffenburger, a 4-H member from Warren County representing the Pennsylvania 4-H Science Program, accepts a symbolic $100,000 check from John Hines, government relations representative for Shell Oil Company, in support of 4-H science programs. Looking on are several 4-H members from counties where the gift will be used, as well as State 4-H Council officers Alexandra Adams, vice president, and Nathan Reppetz, president (far right). (Penn State photo)

Targeted counties

Extension officials say the gift will be used to increase the number of new youth participating in 4-H science programs through 4-H club and after-school programs.

The funds will support new or expanded programs in a variety of curriculum areas, including environmental science, animal science, plant science and engineering.

Funding will be available to train 4-H volunteers to deliver new science programs to youth ages 8 to 18 in the 11 counties.

Potter County 4-H Leader Donnell Ayers (right) teaches John Hines, government liaison from Shell Inc., about zoonotic diseases at the 4-H booth at the 2014 Pennsylvania Farm Show. Hines presented a check to Pennsylvania 4-H to support 4-H science programs in 11 counties.

Huge investment

“This $100,000 donation by Shell Oil Company is the first major donation to the Pennsylvania 4-H science program,” said Deb Dietrich, 4-H extension educator based in Berks County and chair of the Pennsylvania 4-H Science Team.

4-H boosts science interest

The annual Pennsylvania 4-H Science Interest and Abilities impact evaluation shows that 4-H members increase their interest in science across all points of measurement — but most notably in pursuing a career in science.

For more information about the Pennsylvania 4-H Science Program, including how to enroll a youth or make a donation, contact your local Penn State Extension office, which can be found online at http://extension.psu.edu/counties.

4-H is a nonformal educational youth-development program of the national Cooperative Extension System administered by land-grant universities. Pennsylvania 4-H, the youth development program of Penn State Extension, is available in all 67 counties in Pennsylvania. The program reaches 7 million youth in all 50 states and in U.S. territories and military installations worldwide.